The Ichabods suffered a 38-27 loss in their homecoming match up against Central Oklahoma University Saturday evening.

The Ichabod high-powered offense was quiet the first quarter, with 6:12 left the Bronchos progressed to a 7-0 lead on a two-yard touchdown run from running back Darrack Hager.

After a struggling first quarter the Ichabod made an enormous turn around by Derrick McGinnis taking charge and throwing two touchdown passes, giving the Ichabods the lead before half.

With 13:52 to play in the second quarter, Derek McGinnis launched a 62-yard bomb to Bryce Chavis giving the Ichabods a 7-7 game.

The Ichabods held the Bronchos to a field goal giving them a minimal lead of 10-7 before McGinnis struck again to his second target freshman tight end Michael Lickteig for his first touchdown catch of the season giving Ichabod 14-10 lead before half.

In the third quarter, the Ichabods trailed by 10 points when Bronchos quarterback TJ Eckert threw a 54-yard touchdown pass connect to Myles Tease, which increased the lead to 17-14.

After forcing the Ichabods to punt the Bronchos struck again on the ground, pounding in a three-yard touchdown run from Clay McKenzie going up 24-14 with 10:41 left to play in the third.

The Ichabods capitalized on a 44-yard touchdown run from Hayden Groves cutting the gap to 24-20 after a failed extra point attempt.

After a three-and-out the Ichabods went back to what they do best with a dose of Brandon Bourbon scoring a 29-yard rushing touchdown giving the Ichabods the lead 27-20 with 6:46 left to play. The drive went for four plays, yielding 35 yards in 20 seconds.

The Bronchos responded by scoring on an 82-yard touchdown pass from Eckert to Tease giving the Bronchos 27-21 lead going into the fourth quarter.

The Bronchos defense shut the Ichabods down, not allowing them to score the entire fourth quarter, with 2:43 left in the final quarter, Clay McKenzie found his way into the end zone, spoiling Homecoming 38-27.

“We need to concentrate on starting fast on offense and finishing. Usually we have finished well throughout the season and the start has been the issue. We need to keep everyone focused until the end,” said Bourbon.

The Ichabods rushed for a total of 229 yards between Bourbon rushing for 136 and one touchdown and Hayden Groves rushing for 93 yards and one touchdown. The defense allowed 175 yards rushing, three touchdowns and 304 in the air.

“Even though the defense gave up 175 rushing yards I believe we did a decent job against the run. All of their big run plays where just missed tackles and someone not doing their job,” said defensive end Akhmad Abdul-Razzaq.

The Ichabods will face Emporia State University at 2 p.m. on Oct.31. at Emporia, who have the second best record (7-1 MIAA). Emporia is ranked 19 in the nation. This game will be the 112th meeting between each other, making the rival the most-played in NCAA division two football.

“Our guys always prepare and play hard. We will work hard in practice this week to give ourselves the best chance to win Saturday,” said co-defensive coordinator Zach Watkins.